Number 9 is really FINE! Welcome to AKL LITE - the 'unofficial' FAQ Thread

[kimmar067]

Originally Posted by ddixon1

Jambo everyone!
We just returned from a wonderful (first-time) stay at Jambo House for Marathon weekend. We fell in love with this resort. We had a standard view that offered a partial Savannah view. It was terrific. It was DS7's first visit to WDW. We packed in way too many activities, and did not allow nearly enough down time. I felt the need to return, so that we could spend more time at the hotel.
Soooo... Just rented DVC points for a Savannah Studio for 04-08 December 2013! Couldn't resist the $1200 savings! I'm nervous about renting points, but have read good reviews of David's DVC process.
I have researched, but cannot get a clear idea of what is actually in the studio? Is the coffee maker the same pod type as the main resort rooms? If not, do I need to bring my own filters/coffee? Are the same toiletries (Disney H2O) included? Dish soap? Glasses/plates/bowls/cups? Can I order Mousekeeping as an additional service?
Thanks for all of your answers! I seem to have been hopelessly smitten by AKL/AKV!

...don't say that we didn't warn ya... ....but srsly, so glad that you had a wonderful time. Just curious, what 'arm' were you in - was it Ostrich Trail or Giraffe Trail, and what room, if I may be so bold as to ask.....

[t_daniels]

Originally Posted by kimmar067

...you must be related to my DH....

Possibly!

We just never really have had the money in advance, and it's come up, and DH has been like, let's go! Last year, he tried to book it literally, 4 weeks in advance.

I panicked. (long story. Short of it is, I work taking care of my mom, who's in a wheelchair. That amount of time wouldn't have flown to figure out an alternative!!

So this time, I've been stalking this, and every other thread. Great information here, finding out so much by seeing everyone else's questions answered.

To stay on topic.... (because I'm SO GOOD at derailing.....) there's a sort of lounge/room that's open to any AKL visitor, somewhere, isn't there?
I remember seeing pictures of it.. maybe its time to reread post #1 for me. I'd like to check it out this trip, we never do much in-resort, except for visit Victoria Falls.
That, and maybe the resort movie. But I'm thinking a lapu-lapu says I should migrate to Poly for that one...

[kimmar067]

Originally Posted by t_daniels

To stay on topic.... (because I'm SO GOOD at derailing.....) there's a sort of lounge/room that's open to any AKL visitor, somewhere, isn't there?
I remember seeing pictures of it.. maybe its time to reread post #1 for me.....

....aren't we ALL? [...and, good advice that you just gave yourself.... ]

[TruBlu]

On ME - 30 minutes to AKL


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[anjalee6]

Good morning everyone --- Anyone remember what night which soups are served at Boma? Trying to schedule my ADRs and love the carrot ginger soup, but know it's only offered certain nights. Anyone know where to look to find a list?

[ddixon1]

Originally Posted by kimmar067

...don't say that we didn't warn ya... ....but srsly, so glad that you had a wonderful time. Just curious, what 'arm' were you in - was it Ostrich Trail or Giraffe Trail, and what room, if I may be so bold as to ask.....

We were Zebra Trail, Room 4576. Loved it! Got some amazing shots of the sunrise over the Savannah. I'll write more about it after I get my act together...

Now, back to my questions:

I have researched, but cannot get a clear idea of what is actually in the [AKV] studio [rented DVC points]? Is the coffee maker the same pod type as the main resort rooms? If not, do I need to bring my own filters/coffee? Are the same toiletries (Disney H2O) included? Dish soap? Glasses/plates/bowls/cups? Can I order Mousekeeping as an additional service?

Thanks millions! And those Zebra Domes are seriously addicting. Loved the tip about bringing to room temp. We all loved them.

[jwgm2012]

Need some help... We're looking at renting some DVC points to get a 2 bdrm value villa for the week of June 10-14.

Can I get some clarification on the difference between a value versus a standard level villa? Is it just the view?

We're a family of 6 so from all the research I've done it looks like a 2 bdrm value is more economical than going with 2 standard rooms.

Thanks for your help.

gina

[kimmar067]

Originally Posted by ddixon1

We were Zebra Trail, Room 4576. Loved it! Got some amazing shots of the sunrise over the Savannah. I'll write more about it after I get my act together...

....thought you said STANDARD ROOM....Zebra Trail doesn't have any std rooms...

[RachelTori]

Originally Posted by jwgm2012

Need some help... We're looking at renting some DVC points to get a 2 bdrm value villa for the week of June 10-14.

Can I get some clarification on the difference between a value versus a standard level villa? Is it just the view?

We're a family of 6 so from all the research I've done it looks like a 2 bdrm value is more economical than going with 2 standard rooms.

Thanks for your help.

gina

Not sure if this will help, but here goes! Value is a smaller villa. They are located on Ostrich and Giraffe Trail -- some are savannah view; some are pool view (I've had both! ); not sure if there are any parking lot view in the "Value" villas. (Values are only at Jambo House; none at Kidani.) Now having told you that - they are very difficult to book since there aren't many. They often book up at 11 months out.

Standard Villa at Jambo is slightly larger and could be a pool view (which I've had); not sure if there are parking lot views or not. A Standard Villa at Kidani will give you lots of space.

Renting DVC points will almost always save you $$$$ over booking a Villa or regular room through Disney.

[jwgm2012]

Originally Posted by RachelTori

Not sure if this will help, but here goes! Value is a smaller villa. They are located on Ostrich and Giraffe Trail -- some are savannah view; some are pool view (I've had both! ); not sure if there are any parking lot view in the "Value" villas. (Values are only at Jambo House; none at Kidani.) Now having told you that - they are very difficult to book since there aren't many. They often book up at 11 months out.

Standard Villa at Jambo is slightly larger and could be a pool view (which I've had); not sure if there are parking lot views or not. A Standard Villa at Kidani will give you lots of space.

Renting DVC points will almost always save you $$$$ over booking a Villa or regular room through Disney.

Rachel! Thanks so much for this info! This is a huge help and yes, you're right - either way, renting DVC points seems to be the best way to save some $$$ when going with larger rooms. I'm hopeful we'll be submitting our request for a room sometime today or tomorrow so keeping fingers crossed something pans out or it's on to plan B.

thanks again!

[RachelTori]

Originally Posted by jwgm2012

Rachel! Thanks so much for this info! This is a huge help and yes, you're right - either way, renting DVC points seems to be the best way to save some $$$ when going with larger rooms. I'm hopeful we'll be submitting our request for a room sometime today or tomorrow so keeping fingers crossed something pans out or it's on to plan B.

thanks again!

My pleasure! Good luck with the reservations! Come back and let us know what you were able to book - and of course, we'll be happy to answer any other questions you might have!

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by ddixon1

Jambo everyone!
We just returned from a wonderful (first-time) stay at Jambo House for Marathon weekend. We fell in love with this resort. We had a standard view that offered a partial Savannah view. It was terrific. It was DS7's first visit to WDW. We packed in way too many activities, and did not allow nearly enough down time. I felt the need to return, so that we could spend more time at the hotel.
Soooo... Just rented DVC points for a Savannah Studio for 04-08 December 2013! Couldn't resist the $1200 savings! I'm nervous about renting points, but have read good reviews of David's DVC process.
I have researched, but cannot get a clear idea of what is actually in the studio? Is the coffee maker the same pod type as the main resort rooms? If not, do I need to bring my own filters/coffee? Are the same toiletries (Disney H2O) included? Dish soap? Glasses/plates/bowls/cups? Can I order Mousekeeping as an additional service?
Thanks for all of your answers! I seem to have been hopelessly smitten by AKL/AKV!

As of September they were not pod coffee machines so unless that's recently changed you'll need to bring filters and extra coffee.

Disney H20 - yes, but they're quite small and since there is not daily mouse keeping you won't get the refills like usual.

You can get daily mousekeeping but its either $30-$35 a day.

Dish soap - yes

Cups/mugs - yes

Plates/ bowls - yes, but they're paper

There is a microwave, toaster, and good sized mini fridge as well.

Glad you had a wonderful trip!

[ddixon1]

Originally Posted by kimmar067

....thought you said STANDARD ROOM....Zebra Trail doesn't have any std rooms...

Hmmm, well I was told that it was a standard view room, and it is listed as a standard view room on my receipt? (We originally had a pool view room, but I requested an upgrade to a Savannah view, but balked at the $950+ price difference. This room resulted in a CREDIT to our room account, which was awesome!) I was told that it was one of the rooms that had been re-classified to standard, e.g., now listed as a partial-savannah view. It had a strange looking pen just below the balcony -- no animals were ever in it, and it jutted out a bit into the savannah space. We would see animals led each morning/evening into/out of the space (by someone blowing into a whistle). It was definitely Zebra trail, but right in the nook. Sorry for any confusion!

[ddixon1]

Originally Posted by Pinkocto

As of September they were not pod coffee machines so unless that's recently changed you'll need to bring filters and extra coffee.

Disney H20 - yes, but they're quite small and since there is not daily mouse keeping you won't get the refills like usual.

You can get daily mousekeeping but its either $30-$35 a day.

Dish soap - yes

Cups/mugs - yes

Plates/ bowls - yes, but they're paper

There is a microwave, toaster, and good sized mini fridge as well.

Glad you had a wonderful trip!

Thanks millions! I am really obsessing over this return trip. And zebra domes! Now, I really should log off of the disboards, and go back to work. Well, maybe after one more read... I'm curious about if there are Christmas decorations/a Christmas tree, and if there are ornaments for sale in the gift shops during the first week of December?

[Pinkocto]

Originally Posted by ddixon1

Thanks millions! I am really obsessing over this return trip. And zebra domes! Now, I really should log off of the disboards, and go back to work. Well, maybe after one more read... I'm curious about if there are Christmas decorations/a Christmas tree, and if there are ornaments for sale in the gift shops during the first week of December?

I understand completely.

Yes the decorations and tree will be up the first week of December. Not sure about the ornaments, they were available to buy at OKW this past December. There's always the Christmas shop at DTD too. Oh, and the one at MK. I'm probably missing others.